Security Guards Training Guide
Are Security Guards at Your School, Business or Public Place Properly Trained? Security Guards are the first set of eyes, and likely the first responders to an emergency at schools, businesses and public areas. Simply because they look the part in their uniform does not mean they are properly trained […]
Learning From the Latest Active Shooter Scare in Boca Raton, Florida
On October 13, 2019, reports of gunfire from an active shooter in the Boca Raton Town Center mall caused panicked shoppers to instinctively take cover and evacuate, ultimately leading to a lock-down. Thankfully this turned out to be a false alarm; however, there are still many things we can learn […]
HOW TO PLAN FOR AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IN THE WORKPLACE: 5 CRITICAL CONCEPTS
How can you plan for an active shooter in the workplace? Most businesses have policies in place outlining responses to different types of crises. Every business follows fire codes, and many have a response plan in place for critical incidents such as a bomb threat. The same concept of writing […]
Marjory Stoneman Douglas- 1 Year Later
Honoring Marjory Stoneman Douglas Victims One year ago on February 14th, 2018 the tragedy that took 17 innocent lives occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in Parkland, Florida. This tragedy shook the south Florida community because so many of us were affected either directly or indirectly. This day, which was also […]
An Alarming Trend: Social Media Threats of Violence
Communities and schools across the country have been combating an alarming new trend: a dramatic rise in social media threats of school violence. This pattern has intensified in South Florida following the Parkland tragedy. In one South Florida community, four students were arrested in a single week for making threats […]
FBI Report: Active Shooter Incidents in 2017 – Guardian Defense’s Takeaways
We recently examined reports on Active Shooter Statistics, between 2000-2016, and concluded that the number of active shooter incidents has risen significantly over the years. Shortly thereafter, the FBI published a new report on the statistics for active shooter incidents in 2016 and 2017. Here’s our takeaways from this report.
Active Shooter Statistics, By the Numbers
Active shooter statistics: Between 2000 and 2016, there have been 220 active shooter incidents in the United States, as recorded by the FBI. Of these 220 incidents there are a reported number of casualties of 1,486 which includes both individuals injured and killed. Out of these incidents recorded, 43.2% occurred […]
Participation in the 17 Minute National School Walkout after Parkland Shooting
The 17 minute national school walkout: On Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 exactly one month after the tragedy at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, many gathered for a special cause. Students across the country spent the day honoring the victims and taking a stand against gun violence. Schools […]
How to Barricade a Door Effectively During a Shooting or Terror Attack
You may find yourself wondering how to barricade a door effectively to protect your life during a shooting or other type of threat. But, before that thought enters your mind, you must have considered possible instances that would make this process necessary. With the knowledge that threatening incidents occur in […]
Active Shooter Training Scenarios: Nine Tips to Prepare for Effective Staff Exercises
Active shooter training scenarios are gaining more popularity as workplaces and schools recognize the urgency in providing training to their staff. As today marks the 5-year anniversary since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, we see the progression in workplace and school safety procedures. One […]
Active Shooter Training Programs : Need to be Customized?
Should active shooter training programs be customized to your group’s specific needs or does one-size-fit-all suffice? I created our very first active shooter training programs specifically for schools. As a law enforcement officer, I had experience creating safety plans for schools. I was familiar with some of the challenges the […]
Las Vegas Shooting: How to Plan for Threats in Public Venues
The Shooting in Las Vegas occurred on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at a country concert by Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although most definitive details and facts are too premature to release at this moment, the following is reported to be known. Information on Mass Shooting […]
LOCKDOWN DRILL PROCEDURES: 8 MUST-KNOW PREREQUISITES FOR ALL ADMINISTRATORS AND SAFETY TEAMS
Why do you need lockdown drill procedures? Administrators at schools and in the workplace have many things to oversee- one of which is safety. Whether you’re a new administrator tasked with safety planning or a seasoned professional in the field, utilize the prerequisites listed below to make sure you cover […]
Security in Schools – 15 Questions for Administration
Security in schools can mean a lot of different things to school administrators. Plans in place for medical accidents, bullying incidents and physical building safety are just a few things that administration must prepare for in their schools. A school security plan must include planning for, and response options to, […]
Active Killer: Dangerous, But Weak
In 2014, the FBI conducted a study titled, “A study of Active Shooter Incidents in the U.S. Between 2000 and 2013.” The report revealed many valuable facts. It kept the scope of the study in context to better understand the active killer and these types of incidents. During an active […]
Is Your Business Prepared for A Workplace Shooting Today?
Perhaps as a business owner you ask yourself “Is my business prepared for a workplace shooting today?” This past Friday I traveled to Naples, Florida to present to a group of risk managers, emergency managers and other administrators at the Florida RIMS Educational Conference 2017. This was my third year in […]
Choosing the Right Active Shooter Training Program for Your School
Choosing the right active shooter training program, plan and procedures for intruder and threat preparedness is one of the most difficult tasks for school administrators to do. Administrators often find themselves in a dilemma when choosing the right path for emergency plans. As a result of increased violence in our […]
Press Release- Local company will bring real-life strategies for surviving a mass shooting to the public at Nova Southeastern University
For Immediate Release CONTACT: Taylor Smith 954-654-8912 April 14, 2017 taylor@guardiandefenseplan.com Guardian Defense to offer workshop in response to mass shooting events that have affected Floridians, like the Fort Lauderdale Airport and Pulse Nightclub shootings, and throughout our nation. Boca Raton, FL – Today, Guardian Defense announced it will be […]
Maryland High School Shooting Plot
A Reminder of “See Something, Say Something” at the Maryland High School Shooting Plot Frederick County deputies uncovered a Maryland high school shooting plot on Monday, March 27, 2017. They successfully stopped a potential mass killing and active shooter event at Catoctin High School in Thurmont, Maryland. This was all […]
Violence in the Workplace: A Comprehensive Safety Plan for Employees
Chapman Partnership in Miami, Florida joined the many organizations in our country that have faced violence in the workplace just a few years ago, when an armed suspect discharged his weapon on his girlfriend at the exterior gates of the facility. Violence in the workplace events like these have an […]
Full-Scale Active Threat Response Program at Katz Hillel Day School
We are ecstatic to announce the “graduation” of Katz Hillel Day School in Boca Raton, Florida from our Full-Scale Active Threat Response Program for Schools on February 22, 2017. Pictured: Joe Sharp, Executive Director of Hillel being presented with a Certificate of Completion from Steven S. Smith, President of […]
Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting: Interview with Witness, Annika Dean, on Active Shooter Training
If you have been tuning into the news following the Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting, you may have heard the amazing story of Broward County Public School teacher, Annika Dean, who was heroically shielded by stranger, Tony Bartosiewicz. Annika, a K-5 Art Teacher at Indian Trace Elementary, has been a teacher […]
6 Steps to Building an Active Threat Response Program for Schools
It can be a very daunting task developing an active threat response program for administrators and security directors at schools. If you are like most administrators, you have either: -Done your own research on building an active threat program and implemented one yourself; -Hired someone or tasked someone else on your […]
Are School Threats in Florida on the Rise?
As a south Florida-based company, a vast majority of the schools we serve come from this region. We’ve seen the news reports of the school threats in Florida made at Olympic Heights High School, the clown threats made at five Palm Beach County Public Schools and the direct threats to […]
Active Threat: Safety Tips for Traveling Alone Internationally
A few months ago, Guardian Defense president, Steven S. Smith was interviewed by a women’s travel agency for his expertise in law enforcement and active threat preparedness. The information provided below has been used to include any person who is traveling alone or in a group, and nationally or internationally. […]
Nine Questions to Ask if a School Receives a Bomb Threat
Today, 01/26/2016, four Jewish educational centers received a bomb threat in the state of Florida. The centers and schools ranged from central Florida to the south Florida area with two being in Palm Beach County. The threats caused all four schools to evacuate all its staff and students and have […]
School Safety Threats Continue to Affect Americans
USA Today released an article on the morning of December 21, 2015 regarding another school threat. This time in Nashua, N.H. the threat came in Sunday, December 20th 2015, causing the Superintendent, Mark Conrad, to take action and close all schools until law enforcement can determine the credibility of the […]
Hospital Safety Plan: How to Manage an Active Shooter
The key to managing an active shooter in a hospital or medical center is to create a hospital safety plan for this type of incident. History has proven that violence can erupt anywhere and at any time.
Oregon Community College Shooting: Focus Points
On Thursday, October 1, 2015, a lone wolf active shooter rocked the peaceful community of Roseburg, Oregon; and killed 9, while injuring seven in the Oregon Community College Shooting. In agreeance with the local sheriff, I will not name the cowardly killer at any point in this blog in order […]
The Next Terror Attack: Are Schools Prepared?
On September 1, 2004, several dozen heavily-armed, Islamic-nationalists stormed the Beslan schoolhouse and took over 1,100 people hostage, including mostly small children. The terror attack lasted three days as terrorists forced all of the hostages in the gymnasium and set up explosive booby traps.
Layers of Resistance for School Safety
On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza moved around Sandy Hook Elementary with unrestricted access to victims and executed our most vulnerable and precious gems with minimal resistance. The release of the After-Action Report (AAR) detailing the incident’s investigation revealed many points in the report that are noteworthy of attention. The […]
It is Important to Report Suspicious Incidents- Don’t Be Afraid to Be Wrong!
A common trait in many people when it comes to reporting a suspicious incident is a feeling of anxiety or the fear of being wrong. People feel if they misdiagnose a potential crime or threat, peers, management and/or responders would make them feel as though they had wasted their time. […]
Annual School Safety Drill Schedule
Have You Developed An Annual School Safety Drill Schedule? We all are aware of the national mandate for schools to conduct one fire drill per month or a certain number of drills to be conducted within one school year. Many states further require schools to add natural disaster drills or […]
Lockdowns: Have They Progressed Post-Columbine?
If safety is always paramount for every school, which it should be, then why do some school administrators and teachers cringe at the terms “lockdown drills” or “active threat training?” In every school mission statement that I have read there is always a common ethos: “that every child learns in […]
The Importance of Conducting Monthly Lockdown Drills in Schools
At an ever increasing rate, our children’s schools are experiencing an influx of violence. Whether it’s an on-campus fight that turns deadly or a rogue student who decides to go on a killing rampage in an effort to out-do predecessors that have died in the midst of taking many innocent lives with them, our children’s safe haven is no longer free from violence.